But as the composer grows in maturity, he subjects the raw material to a more and more thorough process of refinement and development before he considers it fit for artistic purposes; the popular dances are spiritualised, the national characteristics and their corresponding musical idioms are subtilised and individualised.

I do not agree with those critics who think it is owing to the strongly-marked, exclusive Polish national character that these two works have gained so little sympathy in the musical world; there are artistic reasons that account for the neglect, which is indeed so great that I do not remember having heard or read of any virtuoso performing either of these pieces in public till a few years ago, when Chopin's talented countrywoman Mdlle.

Janotha ventured on a revival of the Fantasia, without, however, receiving, in spite of her finished rendering, much encouragement.

The works, as wholes, are not altogether satisfactory in the matter of form, and appear somewhat patchy.

This is especially the case in the Fantasia, where the connection of parts is anything but masterly.